Sustainable university living

By danfernbankSep 19, 20190 Comments
I’ve escaped from my desk to come and sit in Park Eat café/bar to write this article. Immediately I arrive, I’m confronted with an environmental dilemma. I’ve brought my Sustain It mug (of course!) for a cup of tea, but realise I can’t get any milk out of the machine because my cup isn’t chipped. The catering staff offer to put some milk in a paper cup. I insist I don’t want a paper cup and they insist it’s no bother. How should I respond? Back down politely and take the cup, or stick to my green guns and insist…
Behaviour Change, Energy and Water, Travel and Transport, Waste and Recycling, , ,
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Reporting issues and flytipping

General issues Spotted lots of litter?  Issues with overflowing wheelie bins or internal bins?  Let us know at waste@reading.ac.uk. Reporting flytipping If you catch someone flytipping rubbish on University premises, phone Security Services immediately on 0118 378 7799.  Let them know what you have seen and follow their advice. Before you take any other action, make sure it is safe to do so.  Be extremely careful as some wastes can be hazardous.  Do not open black bags or drums, and be aware that waste could be contaminated or hiding dangerous materials (e.g. asbestos or needles).  Take photos - but if…
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Recycling League Table – Who’s at the Top?

By joburtonNov 12, 20130 Comments
1st - Minghella Building 2nd - Library 3rd - Foxhill Law School Congratulations to Minghella Building for recycling 65%!!!! Each month we will be publishing the recycling rates for buildings and departments across the University.  Results will be published on the Clean and Green Blog and on Yammer, so keep an eye out to see if you can beat this month's top three!! Recycling rates are based on the weight of mixed recycling and paper and card recycling from offices and classrooms verses general waste. This initiative will support the ongoing efforts to reduce the amount of waste that the University produces…
Waste and Recycling
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Where Does Our Waste Go?

This page provides information on how our waste is managed, who manages it and where it goes. For more information on what you can recycle or how to handle your waste, consult the Waste and Recycling A-Z. For any clarification or further information do not hesitate to contact waste@reading.ac.uk. Dry Mixed Recycling - cans, plastic bottles, tins, paper etc. Once dry mixed recycling is placed in the recycling bins it is collected by the cleaners and porters and then placed in various wheelie bins across campus. The University's waste contractor then collects the waste and transports it to a Materials Recycling Facility…
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What can I recycle?

In the recycling bins with blue lids/labels: Paper Envelopes Newspapers Magazines Cardboard (flattened) Paper bound books NO glass NO paper cups NO polystyrene NO food NO liquid In the recycling bins with green lids/labels: Drinks cans Tins Plastic bottles Plastic cups Plastic containers (clean) Paper can be put in here NO glass NO paper cups NO food NO liquids More details about plastic types Please put your paper cups in the dedicated cup recycling collection bins with a pink label; but please remove lids, tea bags and all liquid. Find out more here. ALL the following items are collected separately for…
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Waste and Recycling A-Z

A: Aerosols, Aluminium Cans/Foil, Asbestos Waste, Appliances. C: Cardboard, CDs, Chemicals, Cling film, Clothes & Textiles, Confidential, Catalogues, Cables, Clinical, Cooking Oil, Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags, Crisp Packets. E: Electrical Appliances, Envelopes. G: Green Waste, Glass. I: IT Waste, Ink Cartridges. M: Medicines, Metal, Microwaves, Mobile Phones, Monitors & TVs O: Oil, Ovens. R: Recycling Collections, Radioactive Waste, Rubber Bands. T: Textiles, Televisions, TetraPak, Tyres, Toner Cartridges, Tin Cans. B: Bins, Batteries, Books & Brochures, Box Files, Bottles, Bulbs, Bin Bags, Biological Waste, Bicycles. D: Directories, Drinks Cans, DVD's. F: Fluorescent Tubes & Projector Bulbs, Fridges & Freezers, Furniture,…
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Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Waste Waste is defined as hazardous if it contains materials or substances that are harmful to human health or the environment. The University is considered to be a hazardous waste 'producer' under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.  Therefore the correct procedures and facilities need to be in place to ensure we are managing our waste appropriately, legally and safely. Safety Code of Practice 48: Hazardous Waste   -  This University Code of Practice provides information about what is defined as hazardous waste plus the correct management and disposal processes that need to be applied at the University of Reading. Technical Guidance WM3:…
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